Return from the Grave

The wolf lied on the floor lifeless with a huge cut on its throat. It had happened very fast and the poor creature had had no chance to even react to the combo of both boys. Enrique had hit the werewolf with a solid hit on the ribs which made it stunned and Carlos had used the opportunity to cut the beast multiple times using the knife made of bone he had. The monster roared in anger and pain but Enrique and Carlos did not stop their attacks and kept bashing their enemy until it fell to the ground bleeding unceasingly. One of the cuts had luckily landed on the neck of the monster that died after a short agony.

- Is it dead?- asked Enrique cautiously watching the beast which could be pretending to be dead to sneak attack them at any moment.

- Pretty much- said Carlos opening the gash on the werewolf neck wider with the knife and making sure it was gone for good.

Yeny felt an uncomfortable feeling in his stomach watching Carlos making sure the beast was dead, she knew it was necessary but for some reason watching the normally innocent and submissive tall boy doing so caused a strong reaction in her. Enrique just looked at Carlos with a small smile on his face. He had never been very outspoken so Yeny did not expect an explosive reaction, but they had been friends long enough to know that Enrique was very pleased and relieved to see him alive. Carlos simply returned the smile and started to clean the knife he had on the beast before stepping back some meters before looking on the direction of some footsteps sounds. Yeny saw a tanned skin girl with long hair appearing on her field of vision. Cynthia looked at him with eyes wide open and seemed to be about to cry.

- Hi there... - said Carlos who seemed not knowing what to do before such strong emotional reaction- sorry for...

However, he could not finish his words because Cynthia had run to him and jumped on him with such strength that he was thrown down to the floor.

- You are alive!!- she said with tears while hugging him strongly as if trying to make sure it was not an illusion- where were you? We were so worried!

Yeny was in shock since she had never seen Cynthia showing such reaction since what happened with Darwin. She was always trying to show her cool and collected side with her tint of sarcasm and very close to snobbish attitude. This side of her was surprising and even shocking but she had to accept that she also felt happy to see Carlos well and most importantly, alive.

- I'm sorry for the problems I caused- said Carlos patting her head with a smile trying to calm her down- I almost don't make it, though.

Cynthia seemed to realize what she was doing and separated from Carlos while cleaning her tears with her sleeve. She returned to her cool side while avoiding the eyes of Carlos who just pretended not to see.

- Can you stand up?- said Yenny who also got closer after Cynthia feeling a huge sense of relief.

- Yeah- said Carlos trying to show strength but Yeny could notice his legs were trembling and did not cooperate with him- I just need a minute to get some air.

He seemed to notice that all, including Yeny of course, were looking at him with curiosity and doubt and then he realized that his clothes must have been torn and in shreds and they also must have noticed his wounds and scars from the previous days fights. Yeny wondered what had happened to him to be left in such state looking his scratches and clothes. All of that showed all the things he had passed the last days and she was very interested in hearing his story.

- At last! - he heard the annoyed voice of Veronica coming from behind some trees - What's the big idea leaving me behind alone with...?

She shut down as soon as he saw Carlos who was sitting down on the ground next to the corpse of a werewolf. It was a very funny reaction seeing the young girl approaching him cautiously like making sure he was real and not just a product of her imagination. She looked at him without a word for a couple of minutes as Yeny noticed that Carlos was fighting intensely not to let a laughter out. Yeny imagined that he even had the hopes she would hug him like Cynthia, but then Veronica showed a change in her face and Yeny knew that what was coming was not a heartfelt and touching reunion.

- So you had the decency to return, eh?- said Veronica very coldly as her face changed to a red color which expressed her fury- DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT WE HAD TO…!!!

And so a lecture that followed many minutes started as Carlos just listened in silence still trying not to laugh. Everyone knew she was happy and were also smiling to her reaction as she seemed more active and energetic than she had been all the days before. It was as if the return of their friend had rekindle the energy they had lost after sall those days without him and they could all feel the change in the environment. After Veronica finished the so called stern lecture, they all returned to the camp and wanted to start a fire but for some reason they were having problems in doing so.

- Let me try- offered Carlos and he got closer as he started to look for something under the rags he had for clothes. Yeny supposed it was fun to watch the reactions of everyone as they wonder what there could be under those torn clothes which seemed to be about to dissapear at any moment. Carlos simply ignored their incredulous gazes and in less of 3 seconds he had started a fire with some quartz-like stones he had in his hands.

- What's that?- asked Veronica who stopped pretending to be angry with Carlos as she saw the items in Carlos' hands with curiosity- where did you get that?

- This is flint rock- replied Carlos with a calm smile as he passed the pieces of flint to her who started to play with them making sparks as she rubbed them- I got them from one of the werewolves. I also got the knife from the same place.

-I see- said Veronica who seemed to be hypnotized by the sparks the flints were making but then she looked at Carlos with interest- what else did you find?

-Well I luckily found these- said Carlos getting the piece of cloth he had tied in his back as a bag and showed some green fruits that looked like avocados to the group- you want some?

-No way!!!- shouted Yenny very surprised as she gulped in anticipation for the food she was looking at.

They roasted some meat and combined the meal with the avocados and they all were very happy to eat something that was not herbs, roots and strange looking fruits and they could eat something familiar to them for once. Carlos looked at them and he could see the energy returning to them.

- I think it's time for you to tell us what happened- said Cynthia as she lick her fingers after finishing the meal they had- we looked for you everywhere but you just vanished.

Carlos had also finished his share and after he thought for a minute, he started to talk about what had happened to him.

- Where to begin?- he said wondering what would be a good part to start- It all started when I somehow "teleported" to another place from the forest.

All the faces showed surprised and Carlos stopped talking to let them process what he had said for some seconds until he repeated he had managed to teleport to a far part of the jungle area where they had appeared the first time.

-What? Teleporting?- shouted Cynthia in shock imagining Carlos appearing and dissapearing instantly in many places- are you serious? Show us!!!

-As I said I "managed" to do so somehow but it was an accident- said Carlos a little embarrassed as he saw the dissapointing looks his group did- and even though I've tried to do it again, I can't repeat it. I don't know the conditions to use it.

Cynthia sighed in disappointment and Veronica seemed suspicious . Carlos then told them that he had been trapped by a group of werewolves.

- They caught me almost at the same instant I had reappeared- explained Carlos with a face that showed fear- but for some reason they didn't kill me immediately...

He seemed to be immersed in his memories and frowned remembering the unpleasant memory. Yeny looked at him with surprised eyes but she also felt that something was off.

- When I woke up I found myself in a cage- Carlos continued his story while looking at the fire as if he could see the things he was telling- and when I saw around, I noticed there were other animals and creatures in other cages. Then…

Carlos trembled a little and drank a big amount of water there was in a bottle he had in his hand while breathing deeply to calm down.

- Then I saw the werewolves taking the animals in the cages one by one to be torn apart by the hungry beasts. They didn't even leave the bones untouched…

-How did you survive?- asked Veronica who looked at Carlos with intense eyes.

- I don't know myself- replied Carlos smiling bitterly- I just remember waiting for the werewolves to open the cage and using the knife made of their claws. I started running until I found a cave where I hid until now.

- How did you outran the monsters?- asked Cynthia who had doubtful eyes- We know how fast they are.

- I started to run faster- replied Carlos as if stating something obvious- I don't know if it was because of the adrenaline but in that moment I could finally feel the Sam… I mean… the power of the air that Enrique taught us in me and I could move faster which permitted me to flee.

Yeny understood now how when he appeared he had been jumping more than before. He had finally activated his powers. He also had mentioned he could teleport so finally in that moment of danger he had been able to escape. However, Yeny felt this was not all and he was hiding something. Yeny saw around her and noticed she wasn't the only one since she could read the phrase "I don't buy it" reflected in his friends' faces.

- I've been hiding there until now -explained Carlos with an embarrasing attitude- but one day, they found me and I had to escape and luckily I found you.

-Is that all?- asked Veronica who tried to make visual contact with Carlos but he just seemed too interested in an avocado that had managed to survived the meal to notice- Were you all this time in the cave?

-Yeah- answered Carlos- I was totally scared and I had sprained my ankle when fleeing… luckily, I found a zone with avocado trees near the cave and there was a water source inside so I could survive.

All the group stared at each other, Yeny knew what they were thinking. She personallly believed one of two possibilities, One that Carlos was really lucky or two, his imagination and storytelling skill had reached a new level. Being honest, the story was just too good and convenient to be true, but they could not think in any other explanation for Carlos being able to survive so much time. Even if doubtful, they had no other choice but to accept his version of the events.

- Probably, I would still be there if not for the monsters finding me and make me run again- continued Carlos having a face that showed relief and unbelief.

- Well, the important is that you are here- said Cynthia who seemed to have accepted the fact that they would not get any other detail from Carlos and was just happy that he had returned.

- Still…- said Veronica who was frowning and looked like someone who wanted a second round- we were very worried about you, you know?

- I can imagine- said Carlos and for some reason Yeny felt a chilling sensation in her back. She looked at the rest and they were also showing a similar face. Even though Carlos was smiling, this was a very cold grin, his eyes showed a sharpness that Yeny had not seen before in his classmate and his voice was absolutely soaked in irony and sarcasm- I suppose you looked for me a lot of time before stopping… so, I'm sorry for the trouble, President.

Yeny was surprised but also very amused in a way, it was kind of refreshing to see this version of Carlos who normally waged his tail to everything Veronica said. The tone which he used to call Veronica as president was something that none could misunderstand. It was a warning and everyone got his message: "You say you were worried but you abandoned me in the end. So don't give me that crap." Of course, he did not say anything but the point was delivered and Yeny knew Veronica couldn't counter that, especially after he apologized. It was the first time Carlos had left Veronica speechless and the face she did was really funny to watch.

- Now, If you excuse me, I'm really tired and would like to sleep- Carlos said but the tone was more of an announcement rather than an apology- so I'll be taking the first watch, if you have no problem with that.

- Erm… whatever…-said Veronica in a kind of shocked tone and then she just turned around and disappeared in the tent of the girls.

- I'll check you first- said Cynthia with a radiant smile that showed her glee for the previous show and she started to pass her hand for Carlos back- I could not heal you completely before.

- Thank you...- said Carlos but then he showed a worried expression- just be gentle ok? It's been a while since we do this.

- What are you, a maiden?- said Cynthia hitting Carlos on the back but she only smiled more widely to this joke- Where did all that courage of before go?

- Even the bravest man would... OUCH!- shouted Carlos after a horrible sound of bones resetting to their place cracked in all the place.

- What the hell?!!- exclaimed Cynthia with opened eyesbefore falling on her knees and looking extremely exhausted- that took a lot of energy… How could you have beared so much damage?

- Dunno- said Carlos acting in a dramatic way and using a fake exhausted voice- I had to gather energies beyond my limit and pass for the epitome of human suffering.

- Yeah, sure, Drama Queen! - said Cynthia smiling but then her face showed worry- I guess that's all I can do for now... you'll have to keep resisting until tomorrow.

- Oh, cold woman! Can't you treat your patient in a sweeter and better way, Doctor?- asked Carlos pretending to be hurt.

-I'll do so when the patient pays for the consult- said Cynthia pulling his ear in a tough way- and follows the instructions I give to him of not putting himself in danger... maybe these ears do not work, I'll have to test them...

- Ouch, ouch, ouch- complained Carlos- I'm sorry, I'm sorry... you'll pull them off... stop... please stop...

- Well, they don't seem to work so there won't be any difference if she rips them apart, right- said Yeny putting more wood into the fire.

- Please, Yeny... don't help me- said Carlos tearing up.

They kept laughing and playing for 15 more minutes until the girls decided it was better for them to sleep. Yeny turned to see Carlos who was sitting in a trunk and paying attention to the surroundings for a final time before entering the tent.

- I still can't believe he's here- commented Cynthia while taking out her shoes.

- I know…-said Yeny also preparing to sleep- I suppose we all underestimated Carlos. Who could have imagined he was capable enough to survive this long?

- Did you believe everything he said?- asked Veronica who was already inside her bag which was now a little worn out.

- Nope- said Yeny smiling while remembering all he had said- I mean… I think he had invented many parts.

- And I think he's also hiding other parts- said Cynthia lying down- The injuries I healed told me that he really had lived dangerous situations, but…

- I know what you mean…- said Veronica frowning- he wouldn't have been able to survive alone against the chase of the werewolves. I'm sure he panicked after teleporting and hid in the first cave he found until he was strong enough to get out.

- He's really lucky still-said Yenny remembering his clothes and injuries- not many would survive with those wounds.

- You can say that again- said Cynthia- did you notice his face when he said how he had escaped from the werewolves village?

- It was obvious he was lying- said Veronica who seemed to still have a grudge with Carlos for how he had talked to her before- he's very easy to read... I wonder what really happened.

- Well, the most important is he's here again- said Cynthia- if he wants to create a story about his heroic battles against the monsters we can just let him do so. At least it was entertaining to hear.

- True- said Veronica puffing her cheeks- as long as the fool doesn't get lost again.

- Yeah- said Yenny with a smile- knowing him, I'm sure he'll say what really happened very soon. He doesn't know how to keep his tongue tied for too long after all.

-I think so, too-said Cynthia- whatever it is I'm sure we'll discover in time.

(...)

Carlos smiled after hearing this and moved quietly from the tent where the girls were having this conversation. He returned to the fire to make sure it was still on and then he climbed on a near tree to have a better view of the area.

- "Of course I didn't say all the truth, ladies"- thought Carlos with a grin as he closed his eyes- "I indeed omitted and created some parts in the story... just enough to make it impossible to differentiate which was the real from the invented. I'm glad you think I'm just boasting please keep thinking that."

Carlos started to remember all the events that had ocurred after his accidental teleportation and then he thought that even if he had told them absolutely all the truth, they would still find it very difficult to believe. Even so, he knew it was necessary to hide what had happened from his classmates and he would make sure to seal his lips forever.

- "Don't screw this up..."- said a voice inside his head who semeed to be mocking him with every word- "Otherwise, the consequences would be..."

- "Shut up!"- replied Carlos using a tone that would scare any of his classmates- "I know what to do!"

- "Do you, now?"- replied the voice following these words with some sneers and evil laughs and for a moment Carlos doubted if this voice came from ohther person or if he was the one doing those sounds.

Carlos ignored the voice and just forcused on the task he had at the moment and like that he started his first watch in the company of his classmates who had no idea of everything Carlos had experienced and learned all this time they had been separated.